"We've finally arrived…"
Someone in the group let out a heartfelt sigh as they gazed into the distance at the market city, nestled within dense forests and protected under layers of formation arrays.
The others also visibly relaxed upon seeing that Zimo Forest Market City appeared completely untouched by conflict.
After fending off the ambushers along the way, the group decided to stick to the original plan and press forward to Zimo Forest. After traveling without rest for many days, they had finally arrived.
As Li Ye looked into the distance, he couldn't help but let a faint smile creep onto his face.
He had been one of the main supporters of continuing toward the market city from the beginning.
While it might have seemed safer to return to the sect and report everything, doing so would likely just lead to being sent out again on a similar mission.
And if the infiltrators hadn't been completely dealt with or the traitor among them hadn't been found the group, now hidden thanks to their earlier victory, would be forced back into the open and once again marked by the enemy.
At that point, whether the sect used them as bait or simply left them to fend for themselves, it would mean taking another huge risk.
Since that was the case, they might as well take their chances with Zimo Forest.
If they discovered signs of enemy occupation or surrounding danger along the way, it still wouldn't be too late to retreat then.
Fortunately, things were turning out better than expected!
Swish swish swish
The group picked up their pace. As they drew closer, they confirmed that the area showed no signs of conflict and that all markers still indicated it belonged to the Purple Profound Sect, untouched and intact. Only then did they relax and head toward the entrance.
"Stop right there! Identify yourselves!"
A voice rang out from within the formation, halting them in their tracks.
Qu Zijian looked at Li Ye and the others, then stepped forward with a respectful bow.
"We are disciples sent by the sect to support Zimo Forest. We were ambushed by Flying Feather Sect along the way and lost more than half our number. Here are our identity tokens please verify them."
He gathered the identity tokens handed over by the group, channeled his spiritual energy, and sent them hovering toward the edge of the formation, where they were swiftly pulled inside.
A short while later, after what seemed like a verification process, the defensive formation shimmered and opened a narrow path.
"So it's our fellow brothers! We've been expecting you. Please, come in!"
Qu Zijian didn't hesitate and descended directly into the open path, walking into the market city.
Li Ye and the others followed behind, maintaining a cautious posture as they entered.
As soon as they stepped through and their vision cleared, two cultivators with pleasantly surprised expressions greeted them with a bow.
"We heard that enemies had infiltrated and ambushed our sect's disciples. Several of the teams sent to assist were reportedly decimated… We thought you'd met the same fate."
"But it seems you all were more than capable! You didn't let those Flying Feather Sect scum get the better of you what a relief!"
"Haha, it was just a stroke of luck that we managed to eliminate them. Otherwise, we might not be here talking to you at all…"
Qu Zijian responded casually, though his gaze along with everyone else's unconsciously drifted toward Li Ye.
Why were they all looking at this mid-stage junior brother?
Hmm… The two gatekeepers found Li Ye somewhat unfamiliar. He wasn't from a prestigious cultivation clan like Senior Brother Qu, yet these people seemed to treat him with unusual respect.
Unable to make sense of it, they simply made a mental note to remember what Li Ye looked like.
Not intending to linger, Qu Zijian said politely,
"Senior brothers, we must report to the elder immediately and can't chat for long. Let's catch up another time."
"Oh, of course!"
The two nodded in understanding, but then added meaningfully,
"Ever since a few clans betrayed the sect, the battlefield has grown even more chaotic. And for those of us from noble families, things have become rather awkward. Disciples from other sects look at us with suspicion and hostility…"
"In the past, there were fewer of us clan disciples here, and we were often ostracized. The two of us even got shoved off to guard duty it's just plain humiliating!"
"But now that you all are here, things may be different. Since the sect still treats us with some measure of regard, in these troubled times, we clan disciples must stick together and support one another!"
Li Ye listened silently and shook his head inwardly.
So now there was a division between clan disciples and regular sect disciples?
Just a few betrayals by certain families had cost the Purple Profound Sect dearly both in terms of lives and internal trust. Now, the wedge between the sect and the cultivation families was only growing deeper.
The internal strife within the sect seemed to be growing more intense by the day.
At a time like this, if things weren't managed properly, a serious disaster could easily break out!
Yet upon hearing those words, most people in the group subconsciously showed a sense of shared indignation agreeing with the sentiment.
"Senior Brothers speak the truth. Now that we're here, we certainly won't let those rootless nobodies keep strutting around like they own the place!"
Someone in the group immediately voiced their stance, drawing support from the others. The two gatekeepers looked visibly moved and quickly promised to introduce them to the other clan disciples.
Fortunately, they were tactful enough to realize that the group had been through battle and an exhausting journey. Without wasting any more of their time, they simply pointed them toward the elder's residence and let them proceed without further interruption.
They had finally entered the market city proper.
Li Ye walked silently through the streets, observing everything around him.
There weren't many people. The stalls were sparse, and many shops were outright closed. The place, at first glance, gave off a surprisingly desolate feeling.
Even the people they passed upon seeing their Purple Profound Sect robes looked at them with a mix of joy and complicated emotions.
After the previous string of defeats, many assumed that resource points like Zimo Forest would be among the enemy's next targets.
Some cultivators choosing to retreat was perfectly understandable.
What gave Li Ye a bit of comfort was that the city's defenses were still tight. The ones who had stayed behind were seasoned warriors with killing intent in their aura fighters who could hold their own even against powerful foes.
With defenders like these, at least he didn't have to prepare for another immediate escape.
The market city was quite large. Its layout still bore traces of its former prosperity, but with their pace, it didn't take long for the group to reach the central area where the elder's residence was located.
As they approached the entrance, a waiting disciple immediately snapped impatiently,
"You lot finally decided to show up? The elder has been waiting for ages! Moving this slowly are you looking to be punished for disrespect?"
There was obvious hostility in his tone.
Someone in the group frowned at once and gave the man a once-over.
Li Ye remained expressionless. He didn't even need to think twice to connect this man to what the two gatekeepers had said earlier.
Chances were, this guy was a sect disciple.
And for him to throw his weight around and try to assert dominance the moment they arrived when they were reinforcements, no less did he not fear sparking conflict and giving Flying Feather Sect the perfect opportunity to wipe them all out?
But Qu Zijian wasn't the kind to tolerate this kind of thing. His eyes flashed coldly as he stepped forward, his aura surging.
"We came straight here the moment we entered the city. Who are you to make baseless accusations? If you dare to throw the elder's name around to bully others again know this: we've already slain over ten Flying Feather Sect ambushers on our way here. If needed, we'll test the edge of our blades on you next!"
"You how dare you speak to me like that!"
The disciple staggered back a step under the pressure, his face flushing with a mix of shock and anger.
But scolding these reinforcement disciples had been his idea. If this incident reached the elder, he'd be in the wrong and might even be punished.
So now, he didn't dare say another word.
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